6 March 2003
Kampala — The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony has called Gulu Municipality MP Norbert Mao to say he is committed to peace.
Mr Mao told a news conference on behalf of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) at Parliament yesterday that Mr Kony called him at about 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday.
"I again received a call from Mr Kony... He said he is disappointed by the negative reaction to his message from some sections of the UPDF officers, notably Maj. Shaban Bantariza and Lt. Col. Charles Otema," Mr Mao said.
"After a long discussion Mr Kony said that he is still committed to talks and he has authorised some people from the LRA to meet government representatives to discuss how to formalise the cease-fire and to plan for future meetings at which higher level representation of the government and LRA will be expected," Mao said.
He said Mr Kony accused President Yoweri Museveni of not being serious about the peace talks and insisted that international actors should intervene to cultivate trust.
Mr Kony's commitment comes a day after President Museveni dismissed the rebel leader's cease-fire offer as a ploy to help him loot food to sustain his troops through the dry season.
Aruu MP Odonga Otto told The Monitor in an interview on 6 March that he had received reports from Acholi that some military officers were working to undermine the proposed peace process.
He said fingers are pointing at Lt. Col. Otema.
Mr Kony reportedly told Mr Mao that his declaration of a unilateral cease-fire was to facilitate contact with the government side.
"He said that he will continue to repeat his message of a unilateral cease-fire to all his commanders," Mr Mao said.
Mr Kony further told Mr Mao that he would keep Acholi leaders informed of attacks by UPDF helicopter gunships, which he said kill non-combatants within the LRA.
"When I asked him about breaches of the cease-fire, he instead accused Maj. Kakooza Mutale's armed group, the Kalangala Action Plan, of staging the ambush near Pabbo," Mr Mao said.
Mr Mao said he has since briefed key members of the presidential peace team, religious leaders and traditional leaders about the contact the LRA leader has made with him.
"For us in the APG, we are convinced that it is now possible to hold meaningful peace talks with the LRA and we will do everything to make sure the process is constructive," Mr Mao said.
He said any violence carried out by the LRA is unfortunate for "they undermine confidence."
"On the other hand, statements by the UPDF and other government officials, which seem provocative, also undermine the process," he said.
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